Electrical appliance testing regulations are portrayed through the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999, Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, Workplace (Health, Safety and welfare) Regulations 1992 and Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.
The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 in regards to electrical appliance testing regulations examine the duty of care to both the employer and the employee to ensure the safety of the appliance of everyone using the work premises, including the self employed.
Electrical appliance testing regulations are presented in The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 which says it is imperative that “Every employer shall make suitable and sufficient assessment of:
• The risks to the health and safety of his employees to which they are exposed whilst at work
• The risks to ensure the health and safety of persons not in his employment arising out of or in connection with the conduct by him or his undertaking.”
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), states “Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.” Therefore, it is suggested that employers complete electrical appliance testing.
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) comprehends many hazards that can result from equipment which has not undergone electrical appliance testing. The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 is only relevant to an electrical appliance which is used at work by workers, including every electrical appliance. The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 is not applicable to fixed installations in a building. The regulation which is relevant to electrical appliance testing is applicable in the Electricity at Work Regulations.
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 states:
“All systems shall at all times be of such construction as to prevent, so far as reasonably practicable, such danger.”
“As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent, so far as reasonably practicable, such danger.”
“Electrical Equipment’ includes anything used, intended to be used or installed for use, to generate, provide, transmit, transform, rectify, convert, conduct, distribute, control, store, measure or use electrical energy.”
The combinations of electrical appliance testing regulations of the HSW Act 1974, the PUWER 1998 and the EAW Regulations 1989 are relevant to all types of electrical appliance testing regulations. From the regulations it is lucid that electrical appliance testing is a requirement for all work places. Furthermore, it has been stated by the Health & Safety Executive that 25% of all reported electrical accidents are a result to a faulty electrical appliance which has not undergone vigilant electrical appliance testing.
The Electricity at Work Regulations assert legal responsibility on employers and employees to adhere with the regulations and take advised procedures to ensure that there are no hazards from appliances. In order to avoid any danger on the property there should be regular maintenance of electrical appliance testing. . The Health & Safety at Work Act (1974) applies an obligation in the following circumstances:
• An electrical appliance used by employees
• An electrical appliance in establishments such as hospitals, schools etc
• Where an electrical appliance is supplied or hired
• A repaired or serviced electrical appliance.
